Palladium(II) Complexes of C2‐Bridged Chiral Diphosphines: Application to Enantioselective Carbonyl‐Ene Reactions

(11bR,11′bR)‐4,4′‐(1,2‐Phenylene)bis[4,5‐dihydro‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin] [abbreviated as (R)‐BINAPHANE], (3R,3′R,4S,4′S,11bS,11′bS)‐4,4′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐4,4′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐3,3′‐bi‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin [(S)‐BINAPINE], (1S,1′S,2R,2′R)‐1,1′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐2,2′‐biphospholane [(S,S,R,R)‐TANGPHOS] and (2R,2′R,5R,5′R)‐1,1′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis[2,5‐bis(1‐methylethyl)phospholane] [(R,R)‐i‐Pr‐DUPHOS] are C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines that form stable complexes with palladium(II) and platinum(II) containing a five‐membered chelate ring. The Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst displayed good to excellent enantioselectivities with ee values as high as 99.0% albeit in low yields for the carbonyl‐ene reaction between phenylglyoxal and alkenes. Its Pt(II) counterpart afforded improved yields while retaining satisfactory enantioselectivity. For the carbonyl‐ene reaction between ethyl trifluoropyruvate and alkenes, the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst afforded both good yields and extremely high enantioselectivities with ees as high as 99.6%. A comparative study on the Pd(II) catalysts of the four C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines revealed that Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE afforded the best enantioselectivity. The ee values derived from Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE are much higher than those derived from the other three Pd(II) catalysts. A comparison of the catalyst structures shows that the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst is the only one that has two bulky (R)‐binaphthyl groups close to the reaction site. Hence it creates a deep chiral space that can efficiently control the reaction behavior in the carbonyl‐ene reactions resulting in excellent enantioselectivity.     

Extensive Re‐Investigations of Pressure Effects in Rhodium‐ Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenations

The catalytic hydrogenation of three pro‐chiral substrates methyl Z‐α‐acetamidocinnamate (MAC), methyl 2‐acetamidoacrylate (M‐Acrylate) and ethyl 4‐methyl‐3‐acetamido‐2‐propanoate (E‐EMAP) with rhodium precursors complexed with chiral diphosphines is reported at 1–30 bar hydrogen pressure. A library of 56 chiral diphosphines, including 23 BINAP derivatives, 7 JOSIPHOS, 5 BIPHEP, 3 DUPHOS derivatives, and 18 other ligands, was used. While it was generally accepted that high hydrogen pressure would result in lower ees, it is now demonstrated on a statistical basis that an equivalent distribution between beneficial and detrimental pressure effects on ee prevails and that the hydrogen pressure effect on enantioslectivity is not an isolated phenomenon since more than 33% of the reaction systems studied are strongly affected. In some case, the enantioselectivity can be improved up to 97% just by applying a higher hydrogen pressure. Extension of these conclusions to other non‐chiral reagents is proposed.     

Enantioselective Cyanosilylation of Ketones with Amino Acid/BINAP/Ruthenium(II)‐Lithium Phenoxide Catalyst Systems

Enantioselective reactions of simple ketones, α,α‐ and β,β‐dialkoxy ketones, and α‐alkoxy ketones with trimethylsilyl cyanide catalyzed by the bimetallic systems of amino acid/BINAP/ruthenium(II) complexes and lithium phenoxide have been studied [BINAP=2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl]. The Ru(PhGly)₂(BINAP)‐lithium phenoxide system showed high enantioselectivity for the reaction of acetophenone derivatives to afford the cyanated products in up to 90% ee [PhGly=phenylglycinate]. For the cyanosilylation of dialkoxy ketones and α‐alkoxy ketones, the Ru(t‐Leu)₂(BINAP)‐lithium phenoxide system exhibited the best catalyst performance to produce the cyanohydrin derivatives in up to 99% ee and 98% ee, respectively [t‐Leu=tert‐leucinate]. The excellent catalytic activity resulted in complete conversion in the reaction with a substrate‐to‐catalyst molar ratio (S/C) of 10,000 in the best cases.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diaryl‐Substituted Spirocyclohexanonepyrazolones through a Cascade [4+2] Double Michael Addition

The spirocyclic pyrazolones are an important class of molecular structures with significant biological and pharmaceutical activities. Herein, we demonstrate that the combination of a Cinchona‐based chiral primary amine and an ortho‐fluorobenzoic acid is an efficient catalyst system for the double Michael addition of arylidenepyrazolones with α,β‐unsaturated ketones, providing chiral unsymmetrical 6,10‐diaryl‐substituted spiro[cyclohexanone‐pyrazolone] derivatives in high yields (up to 98%) with good diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 88:12 dr, 99% ee).     

MOP‐Type Binaphthyl Phosphite and Diamidophosphite Ligands and Their Application in Catalytic Asymmetric Transformations

Monodentate phosphite and diamidophosphite ligands have been developed based on O‐methyl‐BINOL. These chiral ligands are easy to prepare from readily accessible phosphorylating reagents – (S_a or R_a)‐2‐chlorodinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepine and (2R,5S)‐2‐chloro‐3‐phenyl‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. The new ligands have demonstrated excellent enantioselectivity in the palladium‐catalysed allylic substitution reactions of (E)‐1,3‐diphenylallyl acetate with sodium p‐toluenesulfinate (up to 99 % ee), pyrrolidine (up to 97 % ee), dipropylamine (up to 95 % ee) and dimethyl malonate (up to 99 % ee). In the palladium‐catalysed deracemization of ethyl (E)‐1,3‐diphenylallyl carbonate, up to 96 % enantioselectivity has been achieved. The diamidophosphite ligands have exhibited very good enantioselectivity in the Rh‐catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate (up to 90 % ee).     

Modular Furanoside Phosphite‐Phosphoroamidites,a Readily Available Ligand Library for Asymmetric Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution Reactions. Origin of Enantioselectivity

A library of furanoside phosphite‐phosphoroamidite ligands has been synthesized and screened in the palladium‐catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of several substrate types. These series of ligands can be prepared efficiently from easily accessible D ‐xylose and D ‐glucose. Their modular nature enables the position of the phosphoroamidite group, configuration of C‐3 of the furanoside backbone and the substituents/configurations in the biaryl phosphite/phosphoroamidite moieties to be easily and systematically varied. By carefully selecting the ligand components, therefore, high regio‐ and enantioselectivities (ees up to 98%) and good activities have been achieved in a broad range of mono‐ and disubstituted hindered and unhindered linear and cyclic substrates. The NMR studies on the palladium‐π‐allyl intermediates provide a deeper understanding about the effect of the ligand parameters on the origin of enantioselectivity. They also indicate that the nucleophilic attack takes place predominantly at the allylic terminal carbon atom located trans to the phosphoroamidite moiety.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition of Diarylphosphines to Nitroalkenes for the Synthesis of Chiral P,N‐Compounds

A highly stereoselective asymmetric 1,4‐addition of diarylphosphines to nitroalkenes catalyzed by a bis(phosphine) pincer‐palladium complex has been developed for the synthesis of chiral P,N compounds with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) under mild conditions.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Optically Active Alkanephos‐ phonates via Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Substituted α,β‐Unsaturated Phosphonates with Ferrocene‐Based Monophosphoramidite Ligands

A series of chiral β‐substituted alkanephosphonates was synthesized in high enantioselectivities via the first rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of the corresponding β‐substituted‐α,β‐unsaturated phosphonates using a ferrocene‐derived monophosphoramidite ligand, with which up to 99.5% ee have been achieved for the hydrogenation of (E)‐substrates and 98.0% ee for (Z)‐substrates.     

Novel Enantiocomplementary C2‐Symmetric Chiral Bis(imidazoline) Ligands: Highly Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with Ethyl 3,3,3‐Trifluoropyruvate

Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylations of a variety of indoles with ethyl 3,3,3‐trifluoropyruvate catalyzed by novel chiral m‐phenylenebis(imidazoline)‐copper(II) complexes or the bis(imidazoline)‐achiral acid combination afforded products with high enantioselectivity. Both enantiomers of indole derivatives can be prepared with high enantioselectivities by tuning the N‐substituents of the imidazoline.     

Reusable Chiral Dicationic Chromium(III) Salen Catalysts for Aminolytic Kinetic Resolution of trans‐Epoxides

A series of new recyclable chiral dicationic chromium(III) salen complexes 1 – 10 bearing different substituents, viz., hydrogen, methyl, tert‐butyl, triphenylphosphinomethyl, triethylaminomethyl, methylimidazolium, methylpyridinium, methyl‐N,N‐dimethylpyridinium at the 3,3′‐ and 5,5′‐ positions of the salen unit with (1S,2S)‐(+)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane, (1S,2S)‐(−)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐diaminoethane, and (S)‐(−)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine collars have been synthesized and characterized by various physico‐chemical methods. These complexes were used as catalysts for the highly enantioselective aminolytic kinetic resolution of racemic trans‐epoxides with different anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature. With the use of catalyst 3 , anti‐β‐amino alcohols were obtained in excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) and enantioselectivities (ee>99%) with the concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high optical purity (ee up to >99%) and quantitative yields in 12 h. The catalyst 3 is recyclable in the aminolytic kinetic resolution process and worked well up to six cycles with retention of enantioselectivity.     

Enantioselective Addition of Malonates and β‐Keto Esters to Nitroalkenes over an Organonickel‐Functionalized Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica

A periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) with chiral cyclohexyldiamine‐based nickel(II) complexes incorporated within the silica framework was prepared through a co‐condensation of (1R,2R)‐cyclohexyldiamine‐derived silane and Ph‐bridged silane followed by complexation of nickel(II) bromide in the presence of (1R,2R)‐N,N′‐dibenzylcyclohexyldiamine. Structural analyses by X‐ray powder diffraction, nitrogen sorption and transmission electron microscopy disclosed its orderly mesostructure while characterization by solid‐state NMR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the well‐defined single‐site chiral bis(cyclohexyldiamine)‐based nickel(II) active centers incorporated within the PMO material. In particular, as a heterogeneous chiral catalyst, this periodic mesoporous organosilica showed high catalytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity in asymmetric Michael addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes (more than 92% conversions and up to 99% ee values). More importantly, this heterogeneous catalyst could be recovered easily and reused repeatedly nine times without obviously affecting its ee value, showing good potential for industrial applications.     

Impact of Incorporating Substituents onto the P‐o‐Anisyl Groups of DiPAMP Ligand on the Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Olefins

The introduction of 1,2‐bis[(o‐anisyl)(phenyl)phosphino]ethane (DiPAMP) as a P‐stereogenic ligand for rhodium(I)‐catalyzed hydrogenation by Knowles et al. came after their evaluation of several diphosphines. However, no in‐depth study was carried out on incorporating various substituents on its P‐o‐anisyl groups. In this work, we have prepared a large series of enantiopure and closely related DiPAMP analogues possessing various substituents (MeO, TMS, t‐Bu, Ph, fused benzene ring) on the o‐anisyl rings. The new ligands were evaluated in rhodium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of several model substrates: methyl α‐acetamidoacrylate, methyl (Z)‐α‐acetamidocinnamate, methyl (Z)‐β‐acetamidocrotonate, dimethyl itaconate, and atropic acid. They displayed enhanced activities and increased enantioselectivities, particularly the P‐(2,3,4,5‐tetra‐MeO‐C₆H)‐substituted ligand (4MeBigFUS). Interestingly enough, 88% ee was obtained in the hydrogenation of atropic acid using the Rh‐(4MeBigFUS) catalyst under mild conditions (10 bar H₂, room temperature) versus 7% ee using Rh‐DiPAMP. Conversely, the ligand possessing P‐(2,6‐di‐MeO‐C₆H₃) groups proved to slow down considerably the hydrogenation. X‐Ray structures of their corresponding Rh complexes are presented and discussed.     

Electronegativity Governs Enantioselectivity: Alkyl‐Aryl Cross‐Coupling with Fenchol‐Based Palladium‐Phosphorus Halide Catalysts

A series of bulky, modular, monodentate, fenchol‐based phosphites has been employed in an intramolecular palladium‐catalyzed alkyl‐aryl cross‐coupling reaction. This enantioselective α‐arylation of N‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐N‐methyl‐2‐phenylpropanamide is accomplished with [Pd(C₃H₅)(BIFOP‐X)(Cl)] as precatalysts, which are based on biphenyl‐2,2′‐bisfenchol phosphites (BIFOP‐X, X=F, Cl, Br, etc.). The phosphorus fluoride BIFOP‐F gives the highest enantioselectivity and good yields (64% ee, 88%). Lower selectivities and yields are found for BIFOP halides with heavier halogens (Cl: 74%, 47% ee, Br: 63%, 20% ee). NMR studies on catalyst complexes reveal two equilibrating diastereomeric complexes in equal proportions. In all cases, the phosphorus‐halogen moiety remains intact, pointing to its remarkable stability, even in the presence of nucleophiles. The increasing enantioselectivity of the catalysts with the phosphorus halide ligands correlates with the rising electronegativity of the halide (bromine<chlorine<fluorine), as can be rationalized from structural parameters and DFT computations.     

Highly Efficient Asymmetric Three‐Component Vinylogous Mannich Reaction Catalyzed by a Chiral Scandium(III)‐ N,N′‐Dioxide Complex

The asymmetric three‐component vinylogous Mannich reaction of an acyclic silyl dienol ester, an aldehyde and 2‐aminophenol was accomplished using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide‐scandium(III) complex as the catalyst. A variety of aldehydes were found to be suitable substrates for the reaction and the desired δ‐amino‐α,β‐unsaturated esters were obtained in 90–99% yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) and complete regioselectivities. Moreover, the simple experimental procedures were air‐tolerant and convenient. The present catalytic process provides the potential for large‐scale syntheses of the chiral δ‐amino‐α,β‐unsaturated esters.     

Chiral Squaramide‐Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Michael Addition of 2‐Hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinones to Nitroalkenes

A chiral squaramide‐organocatalyzed, highly enantioselective Michael addition of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinones to nitroalkenes has been developed. This reaction afforded the chiral naphthoquinones in excellent yields (up to 99%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) under very low catalyst loading (0.25 mol%). This organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition provides an efficient alternative route toward the synthesis of chiral functionalized naphthoquinones.     

Chiral Phosphoric Acid‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Aza‐Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with γ‐Hydroxy‐γ‐lactams

An enantioselective aza‐Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles with γ‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactams using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst is reported. The approach described herein provides an efficient access to 5‐indolylpyrrolidinones in good to quantitative yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). The results suggest that the reaction may proceed via N‐acyliminium intermediates associated with the chiral phosphoric acid anion.     

Continuous‐Flow Asymmetric Hydrogenation of the β‐Keto Ester Methyl Propionylacetate in Ionic Liquid–Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Biphasic Systems

A continuous‐flow process for the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl propionylacetate as a prototypical β‐keto ester in a biphasic system of ionic liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) is presented. An established ruthenium/2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (BINAP) catalyst was immobilised in an imidazolium‐based ionic liquid while scCO₂ was used as mobile phase transporting reactants in and products out of the reactor. The use of acidic additives led to significantly higher reaction rates and enhanced catalyst stability albeit at slightly reduced enantioselectivity. High single pass conversions (>90%) and good enantioselectivity (80–82% ee) were achieved in the first 80 h. The initial catalyst activity was retained to 91% after 100 h and to 69% after 150 h time‐on‐stream, whereas the enantioselectivity remained practically constant during the entire process. A total turnover number of ∼21,000 and an averaged space‐time yield (STY_av) of 149 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹ were reached in a long‐term experiment. No ruthenium and phosphorus contaminants could be detected via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) in the product stream and almost quantitative retention by the analysis of the stationary phase was confirmed. A comparison between batch‐wise and continuous‐flow operation on the basis of these data is provided.     

Asymmetric Aerobic Oxidation of α‐Hydroxy Acid Derivatives Catalyzed by Reusable,Polystyrene‐Supported Chiral N‐Salicylidene Oxidovanadium tert‐Leucinates

The direct immobilization of two different C‐5‐propargyl ether‐modified, chiral N‐salicylidene vanadyl(V) tert‐leucinates onto 4‐azidomethyl‐substituted polystyrene by click chemistry was examined. Among the eight different solvents investigated, the resulting polystyrene‐supported catalysts promote the asymmetric, aerobic oxidation of α‐hydroxy (thio)esters and amides with enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee (selectivity factor up to 41) in chloroform. These polystyrene‐supported catalysts can be readily recovered by filtration and reused for at least four consecutive runs without discernible loss of reactivity and enantioselectivity.     

Ferrocenyl‐Aryl Based trans‐Chelating Diphosphine Ligands: Synthesis,Molecular Structure and Application in Enantioselective Hydrogenation

Potentially trans‐chelating diphosphine ligands based on a ferrocenyl‐aryl backbone were synthesised in a four‐step sequence and the molecular structures in the solid state of two representatives were determined by X‐ray diffraction. High throughput screening of these ligands in rhodium‐, ruthenium‐ and iridium‐mediated hydrogenations of a variety of alkenes and ketones revealed that these ligands can deliver high enantioselectivity for alkenes (up to 98% ee) but are less selective when ketones are used as the substrates. The coordination behaviour of one ligand in its square planar palladium and platinum dichloride complexes was studied by ³¹P NMR and only trans‐chelated complexes, together with oligomeric by‐products, were observed. Reaction with the (p‐cymene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂, resulted in a mixture of diastereomeric complexes.     

Recyclable Copper Catalysts Based on Imidazolium‐Tagged Bis(oxazolines): A Marked Enhancement in Rate and Enantioselectivity for Diels–Alder Reactions in Ionic Liquid

Imidazolium‐tagged bis(oxazolines) have been prepared and used as chiral ligands in the copper(II )‐catalysed Diels–Alder reaction of N‐acryloyl‐ and N‐crotonoyloxazolidinones with cyclopentadiene and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene in the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, [emim][NTf₂]. A significant and substantial enhancement in the rate and enantioselectivity was achieved in [emim][NTf₂] compared with dichloromethane. For example, complete conversion and enantioselectivities up to 95 % were obtained for the reaction between N‐acryloyloxazolidinone and cyclopentadiene within 2 min in [emim][NTf₂] whereas the corresponding reaction in dichloromethane required 60 min to reach completion and gave an ee of only 16 %. The enhanced rates obtained in the ionic liquid enabled a catalyst loading as low as 0.5 mol % to give complete conversion within 2 min while retaining the same level of enantioselectivity. The imidazolium‐tagged catalysts can be recycled ten times without any loss in activity or enantioselectivity and showed much higher affinity for the ionic liquid phase during the recycle procedure than the analogous uncharged ligand.